Hello

I signed up with this forum specifically to see if anyone else is related to my Great Gandfather who, according to the 1881 census, was born in the Forest of Dean. I thought that meant he was born under the trees, literally, but I am now reading up on the Forest of Dean in Victorian times to learn more.

The only previous census that has an Edward Ashcroft is 1871 when he was a lodger with a large family of Ashcrofts who were besom makers whos address at that time was Black Brook, Cardiff Road, Forest, Merthyr Tydfil, which makes me think they were a travelling family.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who might be tracing these families.